As an ex-barista and a current coffee writer, I've admittedly become a bit of a coffee snob. I like my coffee to taste delicious in my cup and my machine to look stunning sitting on the counter. With these two requirements in mind, I've been eager to get my hands on The MORNING Machine by the rapidly growing coffee pod machine brand, Morning.
You may not have heard of The Morning Machine yet, because the company was only officially established in 2018, but its quickly building a name for itself. The brand was born from a shared interest in bringing finesse, convenience, and high-quality coffee directly into the homes of coffee-lovers. Since then, the morning machine has grown into one of the best coffee pod machines on the market. Why? Its sleek design looks seamless on the counter, the brand stands behind environmental practices, and the high-tech features allow for barista techniques from the comfort of home.
The MORNING Machine is quickly becoming a must-have among coffee aficionados and professionals who need a tasty cup of joe on the go, but is it the right machine for you? Read on for my full review, and decide for yourself below.
The MORNING Mini is a great price-for-value option. It retains almost all of the same functions, just at a smaller size. Plus, it comes in a few stylish colors, like this chic butter yellow.
A black espresso machine shows off your classic design side. It's for those who want a good coffee as well as a good-looking appliance. Not to mention it hides any coffee spills and stains more easily.
The white colorway is the one that I sampled, and in person, it is more of a crisp white than the lilac-leaning hue pictured here. However, you can't go wrong with a silver and white appliance on your counter.
First Impressions
I had heard a lot about this machine before trying it, so there was definitely a lot of hype for it to live up to. Would it really be as easy to use? Would it fit fashionably on my small apartment countertops? Would the coffee taste good to a picky drinker like me? Most importantly, is investing in a coffee pod machine worth it?
It's safe to say, I was immediately impressed. The machine is surprisingly slim and, if you are a small space dweller, should not be ruled out when planning your space-saving kitchen ideas.
As for the unboxing process, the machine does not come with virtually any accessories — just a tray for your mug to sit as the machine weighs and brews your drink. So, if you are planning on crafting milk-based drinks, you may want to consider investing in things like a Smeg milk frother, a stainless steel milk jug, or even a chic water kettle.
You will also need to purchase a few coffee pods (the machine is compatible with most coffee pods and Nespresso pods, but the brand has its own, too) to begin brewing. I tested the Bread & Butter capsules from the Morning collection.
All that being said, the thing that most impressed me as I unboxed my new coffee machine for the month was something you may miss if you don't take a second look. While pod machines are notorious for being bad for the environment, the MORNING machine comes with a bag to recycle your pods responsibly, and all pods sold on the brand's marketplace are either recyclable, biodegradable, or compostable...The environmental studies student in me is still smiling.
Testing the Machine
The MORNING Machine obviously gets major points for finesse and aesthetics, but will it hold up when it comes time to brew?
Most of the gossip and commentary I had heard about this machine prior to trying it myself was about the genius tech and smart coffee maker features. It has a smart screen dial that allows you to personalize your brew settings, and ground-breaking tech that allows you to connect your machine to your phone.
For context, the MORNING Machine is the first-ever capsule machine that connects to your smartphone, offering superior control over your coffee experience with firmware updates that enhance your brewing process. Seriously, you can press a button on your phone and start brewing your coffee. It's all your favorite clever coffee gadgets wrapped up in one machine, but the convenience of this tech doesn't come without some practice.
The instruction manual is clear, and the digital screen is there to guide you, but to truly reap the benefits of what this machine has to offer, you have to live with it for a bit. This is because you can choose from either 10 'Ready-to-Brew' barista-crafted recipes or the 'Manual Brew' mode, which offers complete control over your brewing process. You can even fine-tune aspects like brew temperature, pressure, and recipe ratios.
If that felt like a lot to digest, it's because it is, and it's a lot to get through in person as well, as fun and exciting as it may be.
All of that to say, don't let this machine's technology drive you away. It's easy to use, and a consistently delicious cup of coffee is ready in just about 30 seconds or less.
Quality of Coffee
I must admit, I have often been skeptical of coffee pod machines and their capabilities of producing an espresso shot that rivals the best espresso machines. While I was incredibly impressed with the quality of coffee from The MORNING Machine, it still comes down to what you prefer in terms of flavor.
It's hard to make a Nespresso pod taste better — they tend to always be weaker than an espresso shot from a specialized machine. However, I was impressed with both the machine's advanced brewing technology and Morning's extensive selection of capsules from specialty roasters around the world.
The commitment to coffee flavor comes as no surprise, as one of the founders, Leon Foo, is a veteran of the coffee industry and has been championing specialty coffee in Singapore and Malaysia since 2009.
All in all, the quality of coffee is well worth the investment for a pod machine.
Should You Buy The Morning Machine?
So only the big question remains: should you buy The Morning Machine? My short answer is, yes. If you are on the hunt for a great coffee pod machine or a coffee machine in general that will upgrade your routine and make you excited for your morning brew, I would absolutely recommend this appliance.
The MORNING Machine is perfect for any busy professional or those of us who love a lie-in in the morning. It brews a tasty cup of coffee both quickly and quietly, and if you put a pod in the machine at night, you can start brewing from bed. Trust me, I know those extra seconds of sleep are worth it.
Those with a bit more experience and who value the art of a true espresso may be more satisfied spending money on something like the De'Longhi La Specialista Touch, but for just under £500, this is a machine with just as much tech and barista-grade pay-off.
If you're tossing up between an espresso machine vs a coffee maker, how about this high-tech, high-reward coffee pod machine? It's a fabulous blend of form, function, and usability.
More Gadgets From Morning
The Morning Machine Lite, a special edition of the brand's flagship coffee machine, was created in collaboration with TANCHEN Studio. The collaboration curated two new colorways for the limited-edition machine: Maroon and Lilac. This retains the sleek profile and customisable brewing features of the original machine, including 5 preset recipes.
The dream machine is the company's stand-alone milk steaming device. If you are a milk-based drink fanatic, then this is a device to consider investing in. Morning's technology ensures precise control over every aspect of the steaming process, resulting in smooth and creamy milk at home.
The Morning Machines do not come with milk foaming devices, but you can invest in a device like the Nanofoamer Pro, a hands-free microfoam milk maker. Or if you want something slightly smaller and more affordable, you can opt for the hand-held Nanofoamer and milk jug from Morning.
Looking for something just as design-forward, but with a bit more of a 'back-to-the-basics' feel? I recently tried the manual ROK Presso Smartshot espresso machine and was thoroughly impressed.
